No defenseman has won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, which honors the NHL players for sportsmanship and gentlemanly play, since the 1950s.

Brian Campbell is hoping to buck that trend.

Campbell was announced Monday as one of three finalists for the award, which is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Campbell is considered a strong candidate to become the first defenseman — and only the third ever — since Red Kelly in 1954 to win. Matt Moulson of the Islanders and Edmonton's Jordan Eberle are the other finalists.

The winner will be announced June 20 at the NHL awards show held in Las Vegas.

"It's obviously a great honor. Not many defensemen get it, and I don't know why," Campbell said before the Panthers flew to Newark, N.J., for Game 6 of their best-of-7 playoff series against the Devils.